Dora

Jay borrowed a ginormous "Dora" doll from our friend who has a 4-year old to see how Maya would react to it. Of course, Maya gasped and said whoa! and got gigglish. You can press either hand and this thing starts "talking". It also sings a catchy tune, but it could drive you insane if you hear it 15 times...in about an hour. (No wonder our friend was more than eager to get rid, er, let Jay borrow it.)

Will the real Dora please stand up?

It's taller than Maya. It's scared me a couple of times already. Especially at night. It's just sitting in the living room...staring. Ayyyeeee!!

Reminiscing

I was going though digital photos that we've taken over the past year and a half. We have a lot. As I went through them, it brought back memories. How time flies!I remember preparing her things a few days before her arrival. I stared at her empty crib and thought, "My life's about to change. I'm going to be a mother." I was giddy.

Labor felt like a marathon. All energy focused on reaching the finish line. She finally came out after two hours of pushing. I remember thinking she looked like a garden gnome or glow worm wrapped like this.

Then I learned to care for her. They really don't come with an instruction manual.

I remember her first try at cereal. It was a mess.

At seven months she started wanting to stand and move around. That caused me major back aches. This exersaucer thing was my savior.

Then she learned to ask for stuff...

...by crying. Not good.

Then she turned into this.

And learned she has an accomplice.

Then she turned one.
Some days I still miss her being this small.
She's now an independent 20 month old.

The Zoo

It's Maya's first time at the zoo. It was a bit warm so many of the animals were hiding under or in something. Like the elephant exhibit, all we saw was an elephant butt parked in the elephant cave. Other than that, all other animals were out, but smart enough to be under a shade and took it easy while we (visitors) sweated buckets during gawking sessions.

Helping mommy push the stroller.

This white one in the middle needs to eat more shrimp. Maya called these "burdies".

"I am pretty! So, so pretty!" These are "horsies".

Tea for one. This one she called a "mahn-key".

Maya called this one "kitty".

She likes butterflies, so this one's a must see.

Souvenir from the zoo

Baby Japanese Macaque to Maya: "Are you my mommy?"

Mommy Japanese Macaque to baby: "Pssst! I'm over here hanging by the door knob."

Motherhood.

Hangin' out

I was hanging out with my cousin Kayla today.
I think my mom took way too many pictures of us.
Ooops...sorry Kayla.
Isn't she cute?
This is one of the first tricks I'm gonna teach her when she's older.